Adapter system for multi-fiber mechanical transfer type ferrule

Abstract

Devices and methods for connecting optical fibers are provided. In some embodiments, connectors and adaptors for two-fiber mechanical transfer type ferrules are disclosed. In some embodiments, MT connectors, such as simplex, duplex, and quad micro-MT adaptors are disclosed. In some embodiments, MT adaptors, such as simplex, duplex, and quad adaptors are disclosed. In some embodiments, optical fiber cables that modularly coupled with at least one optical fiber connector, adaptor, and other optical fiber cable the cable is configured to provide a remote release from an adaptor receptacle.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An optical fiber adaptor comprising:
 at least one adaptor housing; 
 four spaced apart openings within said housing; 
 each opening comprises a proximal end and a distal end; 
 a longitudinal passageway from said proximal to distal end; and 
 the adaptor housing configured to accept a latch arm in each of the four spaced apart openings configured to accept and secure a fiber optical connector having at least first and second optical fibers within said respective opening, whereby the optical fiber adaptor is configured to accept and secure four fiber optical connectors having at least eight optical fibers; 
 wherein the adaptor housing has first and second cross-sectional outer dimensions, the first and second cross-sectional outer dimensions being perpendicular, the first cross-sectional outer dimension being greater than the second cross-sectional outer dimension, the first cross-sectional outer dimension being in a range of from 18.3 mm to 24.3 mm. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the second cross-sectional outer dimension is in a range of from about 9 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
       3. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the second cross-sectional outer dimension is about 14 mm. 
     
     
       4. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the second cross-sectional outer dimension is about 13 mm. 
     
     
       5. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising mounting handles on the adaptor housing. 
     
     
       6. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber adaptor is flangeless. 
     
     
       7. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber adaptor comprises a panel clip. 
     
     
       8. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the adaptor housing comprises a recess for each latch arm at which the latch arm latches with the adaptor housing. 
     
     
       9. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the optical fiber adaptor includes the latch arm and retains the latch arm in the respective opening when the fiber optical connector is removed from the opening. 
     
     
       10. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the adaptor housing is configured to make an optical connection to an MT ferrule of each fiber optical connector. 
     
     
       11. An optical fiber adaptor comprising an adaptor housing defining four ports, each of the four ports configured to receive an individual fiber optical connector therein, a latch structure for each of the four ports, each latch structure comprising at least one of a latch arm comprising a latch hook and a latch recess for latching with a latch hook, each latch structure being configured to facilitate latching with one individual fiber optical connector received in the port such that the optical fiber adaptor can hold four individual fiber optical connectors in the four ports for making optical connections to at least two optical fibers of each of the four individual fiber optical connectors, wherein the adaptor housing has first and second cross-sectional outer dimensions, the first and second cross-sectional outer dimensions being perpendicular, the first cross-sectional outer dimension being greater than the second cross-sectional outer dimension, the first cross-sectional outer dimension being in a range of from 18.3 mm to 24.3 mm. 
     
     
       12. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the second cross-sectional outer dimension is in a range of from about 9 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
       13. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the second cross-sectional outer dimension is about 14 mm. 
     
     
       14. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the second cross-sectional outer dimension is about 13 mm. 
     
     
       15. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising mounting handles on the adaptor housing. 
     
     
       16. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the optical fiber adaptor is flangeless. 
     
     
       17. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the optical fiber adaptor comprises a panel clip. 
     
     
       18. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each latch structure comprises a latch recess. 
     
     
       19. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein each latch structure further comprises a latch arm. 
     
     
       20. The optical fiber adaptor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the adaptor housing is configured to make an optical connection to an MT ferrule of each fiber optical connector.